Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Schreiber.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I never realized as I grew up that I would turn into an entrepreneur nor was it ever a goal of mine to do so. I think I showed glimmers of it as a kid, but to me, it was an attempt to make money to fund my passions or get that cool toy that had just come out. One of those passions was to become an air force pilot. I knew that was what I wanted to do and set my eyes toward the sky. This would eventually steer me to graduating with my B.S in Aerospace Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology. Looking back at this moment of my life after receiving my degree and going through the “What next phase” definitely shaped where I am today. The best way I can convey how it felt was I was in the frying pan. A lot was going wrong for me during this time. I remember telling myself, “When do I get a break?” or “When does this turn around?”. I eventually got a job in my field and felt like things were taking a turn for the better. After a few months, I started to realize that sitting in a cubicle was not the life I had wanted. It was like my life was on repeat and every day was oddly the same. I just remember sitting in my cubicle terrified I would be 60 years old complaining about the same things as my time just melted away. One day I told myself that was enough, and I haven’t looked back ever since. In that moment I was determined to change my stars and I set out to find an answer for that problem. I sat there and sat there, and a few ideas came to mind, but nothing stuck. I was home for Thanksgiving traveling in my car on 95 when it hit me like a bag of bricks. I was going to start an ice cream shop in dedication to my grandmother who had passed shortly after I graduated. I just remember my mind racing with ideas, it was like someone lit a match and I was off. With help from my family and friends, we opened The Mad Utter in September of 2019. Being able to dedicate this to my grandmother meant a lot and it gave me a chance to let her values live on in something that would impact others. She valued many things but most importantly were moments spent with family. I wanted to bring the same love and joy to others as she did to those around her. My family has always been there for me, and I hope we are there for those that just need a scoop of ice cream and a warm smile just as my grandmother used to always offer me. To my dad, mom, and sisters, thank you for always being my rock and especially my grandmother for helping me change the world in a beautiful way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any small business has it easy as a lot falls on the owners. I like to say it’s like riding a roller coaster while trying to eat. Some parts can be extremely hard while others seem too easy to be true. For me every day has some new challenge or some random issue I need to tend to. You have to be prepared for everything as a lot rides on you and your decision-making. When we were in the initial stages everything seemed to fall into place. I was lucky to get an amazing landlord and the perfect location in downtown Titusville. The only issue was the buildout went longer than expected. We missed all the major summer months in 2019. After that covid hit the next summer which presented a lot of issues not only for us but a lot of small business. We saw paper/plastic goods spike in price if we could even get them. Covid caused a lot of issues to the day-to-day operation of the shop. I was lucky that Florida seemed to be better off than other states which helped me keep my doors open and move past it. Another factor which I had the luxury of was working full time, so the business needed to just break even during that time. I have been blessed to be able to get through all the tough patches since 2019. The ones noted were probably the biggest ones we have faced so far. However, we are faced with issues every day as many other small business owners can probably relate to.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently work full-time as a Manufacturing Engineer for L3Harris. I handle different issues that arise during production. I love working for the company, it is an amazing place with very compassionate coworkers. At the shop I am one of the driving forces that help things run smoothly. I make the ice cream flavors, come up with new ideas, run payroll, test flavors, schedule employees, work shifts, and plan events. If you can think of it, I am most likely involved in some aspect. I do all this so that The Mad Utter can provide a place for family and friends to reconnect over a feel-good product. We enjoy seeing people put down their cellphones and engage each other with our board games. I watched one family have such an intense game of Jenga the whole shop was dead silent watching. Growing up in the Schreiber house, that’s what it was about. Friday nights where we would play games, have pizza and watch movies. I think we have lost some of that with cellphones and new technology. I am proud that we were able to create such an amazing place based off what my family valued growing up. The Mad Utter is a new school old school ice cream parlor that relishes family time where you can just be you!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Never give up. I think things happen for a reason and no matter how dark it gets there is always a light, you just need to look for it.
Pricing:
- Half Scoop: $3 (Approx 4 oz)
- One Scoop: $4
- Two Scoop: $5
- Three Scoop: $6
- Milk Shake:$6
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themadutter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMadUtter/
Image Credits
Danielle Nichol https://www.instagram.com/daninicholphoto/
